Rising TAB Highway winning Frenchman Lou Mary is confident a rain affected track will allow his flying filly Silver Halo to concede weight and experience to rivals at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The striking grey three-year-old Sooboog protégé is into a $120,000 Class 3, 1400m episode off three imposing wins on soft and heavy with 57.5kg for Kerrin McEvoy as winter weather sets in.
“Really promising and an absolute muddy, wetter the better,” enthused the young Scone trainer with three series wins this season and last.
“We anticipated that weight off benchmark ratings, three wins, but she has upside third-up with the form she’s in.
“The timing was right to go out in distance in higher grade.
“It’s always tough for a filly to concede weight but in a Class 3, rain affected ground and on pace, she’s right in it.”
In soft and heavy conditions Silver Halo was dominant twice at Taree and then up in grade at Scone at 1300m with 55kg.
On Saturday she is up a significant 2.5kg in tougher grade.
“I ride her regular work, she’s a great temperament, trained on and importantly with the rail out six she can race on pace,” he said.
In a capacity field Silver Halo has drawn barrier 12 but is certain to come in with emergencies drawn inside and typical series scratchings.
Lou is planning on being on pace on the soft ground and hopefully with a break in a capacity field on more favoured contenders.
“The form is at the top of the weights, Messara’s (Know Thyself) has drawn the one, off stronger Canterbury midweek grade with 60kg,” he said.
“And he started $1.30 winning a class 1, at Scone previously.
“That’s the best form line but we’re hoping the draw won’t help it in a big field and soft ground. If we can position on pace.
“While our filly’s form is all wet tracks, there’s no reason she won’t be just as effective on firm. She’s never raced on it, and she is lightly raced.”
Lou is widely travelled and has learned his craft the hard way. He started riding as schoolboy in western France rural Beaupreau in proximity to Orleans where Joan of Arc had her historic winning ride.
After working in Europe and Ireland as track work rider and assistant foreman, Lou came to Australia in a similar role at Kilmore in 2010.
Then after breaking his collarbone in a track accident years later, near broke he slept in his car for months and eventually turned up at Scone and Messara’s stables.
Paul Messara had one look at his car and disposition and told Lou to turn up for work with accommodation the next day.
A typically feel good story in the racing industry regardless of their opposition on Saturday.
– Racing NSW